Hair securing device

ABSTRACT

A hair securing device includes a semi-rigid membrane that conforms to a portion of the user&#39;s head. A plurality of tines extend orthogonally from the semi-rigid membrane, away from the user&#39;s head. The tines are spaced with sufficient density to securely hold portions of the user&#39;s hair when inserted within the field of tines. A securing loop may be disposed on a surface to anchor the hair securing device. Either the surface including the field of tines or an opposite surface may include a decorative or hygienic membrane. Such membrane may include ornamental designs and be disposable and replaceable. Each tine may be topped with an ornamental cap.

PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional App. No. 63/355,734 (filed Jun. 27, 2022), which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directedgenerally toward a hair securing device.

BACKGROUND

Existing hair securing devices include highly localized clips and highlystructured, specialized devices that are ill suited to adjustment andrearranging. It would be advantageous to have a device that was simpleto use for a number of different hair styles, and that allows hair to beeasily rearranged in-situ.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed hereinare directed to a hair securing device having a semi-rigid membrane thatconforms to a portion of the user's head. A plurality of tines extendorthogonally from the semi-rigid membrane, away from the user's head.The tines are spaced with sufficient density to securely hold portionsof the user's hair when inserted within the field of tines.

In a further aspect, a securing loop may be disposed on a surface toanchor the hair securing device.

In a further aspect, either the surface including the field of tines oran opposite surface may include a decorative or hygienic membrane. Suchmembrane may include ornamental designs and be disposable andreplaceable.

In a further aspect, each tine may be topped with an ornamental cap.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand should not restrict the scope of the claims. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of thespecification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein and together with the general description,serve to explain the principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the embodiments of the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein may be better understood by those skilled in the art byreference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair securing device according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a hair securing device according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows an environmental view of a hair securing device accordingto an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a hair securing device according to anexemplary embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining various embodiments of the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventiveconcepts are not limited in their application to the arrangement of thecomponents or steps or methodologies set forth in the followingdescription or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detaileddescription of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a more thoroughunderstanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instantdisclosure that the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known featuresmay not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating theinstant disclosure. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capableof other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in variousways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein is for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended toreference an embodiment of a feature or element that may be similar, butnot necessarily identical, to a previously described element or featurebearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1 a, 1b). Such shorthandnotations are used for purposes of convenience only, and should not beconstrued to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any wayunless expressly stated to the contrary.

Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to aninclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or Bis satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B isfalse (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (orpresent), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements andcomponents of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts. This isdone merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventiveconcepts, and “a” and “an” are intended to include one or at least oneand the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that itis meant otherwise.

Also, while various components may be depicted as being connecteddirectly, direct connection is not a requirement. Components may be indata communication with intervening components that are not illustratedor described.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment,” or “someembodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.The appearances of the phrase “in at least one embodiment” in thespecification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed may include one or moreof the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or anycombination or sub-combination of two or more such features.

Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein aredirected to a hair securing device having a semi-rigid membrane thatconforms to a portion of the user's head. A plurality of tines extendorthogonally from the semi-rigid membrane, away from the user's head.The tines are spaced with sufficient density to securely hold portionsof the user's hair when inserted within the field of tines. A securingloop may be disposed on a surface to anchor the hair securing device.Either the surface including the field of tines or an opposite surfacemay include a decorative or hygienic membrane. Such membrane may includeornamental designs and be disposable and replaceable. Each tine may betopped with an ornamental cap.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a hair securing deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The hair securing deviceincludes a semi-rigid membrane 100 and a plurality of tines 102extending from the semi-rigid membrane 100. The semi-rigid membrane 100conforms to a portion of a user's head when in use such that the tines102 extend away from the user's head. Lengths of hair are placed amongthe tines 102 and releasably held in place via friction. Multiplelengths of hair may be placed, overlapping and in differentorientations.

In at least one embodiment, the surface of the semi-rigid membrane 100may include an ornamental or hygienic film layer. Such film layer mayinclude printed ornamental designs and may be disposable; for example,an adhesive film applied to the surface.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a front view of a hair securing device accordingto an exemplary embodiment is shown. The hair securing device includes asemi-rigid membrane 100 and a plurality of tines 102 that extend outwardto secure a user's hair via friction. The field of tines 102 aredisposed with a density sufficient apply a desired level of securitywhile still allowing hair to be removed and repositioned at will (forexample, between three and eight tines 102 per square centimeter).

Lengths of hair generally fall into place or are placed into the hairsecuring device from above (engaging the tines 102 first at a distal endand pulled down toward the semi-rigid membrane 100) with no or minimaleffort. The user may place lengths of hair linearly. Different lengthsmay be placed in different, overlapping orientations. Overlapping maygenerally further secure the lengths of hair in place and generallysecure the hair securing device in place. Because the hair securingdevice is held in place by the user's hair, the hair securing deviceinduces less stress on the user's head as compared to alternativedevices.

Alternatively, or in addition, individual lengths of hair may be placedso as to change orientation within the hair securing device. Forexample, a length of hair may be placed so as to enter the tines 102from a side and exit at the bottom.

In at least one embodiment, the surface of the semi-rigid membrane 100opposite the field of tines 102 may include an ornamental or hygienicfilm layer. Such film layer may include printed ornamental designs andmay be disposable; for example, an adhesive film applied to the surface.

In at least one embodiment, the surface opposite the field of tines 102may include a plurality of texturing elements 200 disposed to abut theusers head when in use. Texturing elements 200 may provide additionalsurface area to interface with the user's head/hair and hold the hairsecuring device relatively stationary with respect to the user's head.

In at least one embodiment, an anchor loop 202 may be disposed on thesemi-rigid membrane 100. The anchor loop 202 may allow the user to affixthe hear securing device to the user's head before placing hair in thefield of tines 102. For example, the user may use one or more bobby pinsto secure the anchor loop 202 to the user's hair.

Referring to FIG. 3 , an environmental view of a hair securing deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment is shown. A hair securing deviceaccording embodiments of the present disclosure is placed to abut aportion of the user's head 300 so that lengths of hair may be placedover the hair securing device to engage tines 102 extending orthogonallyfrom a semi-rigid membrane abutting the user's head 300. The hairsecuring device allows the user to place lengths of hair in different,overlapping orientations. Because the tines 102 extend some distancefrom the user's head 300, different lengths of hair in different,overlapping orientations do not need to be tightly packed. The tines 102facilitate added hair volume in the vicinity of the hair securingdevice.

Furthermore, a hair securing device according to the present disclosuremay be used in concert with other hair securing devices or techniques.Embodiments may be effective to retain lengths of hair in a desiredlocation and orientation to allow the user to more easily implementdifferent hair styles that would otherwise be difficult or impossiblefor an individual. In addition, a hair securing device according to thepresent disclosure may temporarily hold hair in place to allow the userto apply hair spray or other fixative; the user may then remove the hairsecuring device.

In at least one embodiment, some or all of the tines 102 may be adaptedto receive ornamental fixtures to a distal tip. For example, magnetictips may allow ornamental tips to be added to the times. Alternatively,or in addition, an ornamental cap may be placed over the hair securingdevice, engaging the distal portion of the tines 102.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a top view of a hair securing device according toan exemplary embodiment is shown. The hair securing device includes asemi-rigid membrane 400 and a plurality of tines 102 extending from thesemi-rigid membrane 400. The semi-rigid membrane 400 conforms to aportion of a user's head when in use such that the tines 102 extend awayfrom the user's head. Lengths of hair are placed among the tines 102 andreleasably held in place via friction. Multiple lengths of hair may beplaced, overlapping and in different orientations.

In at least one embodiment, the surface of the semi-rigid membrane 400defines one or more cutouts 402. The cutouts 402 facilitate curvatureand conformity to the user's head. It may be appreciated that an ovoidsemi-rigid membrane may conform to a user's head within certain limitsbased on size; cutouts 402 may allow the hair securing device tocomfortably fit smaller users while still providing adequate surfacecontact.

Furthermore, it may be appreciated that the cutouts 402 define regionswithout the field of tines 102. Such regions cutouts 402 may be disposedto generally conform to portions of a user's head where the tines 102may be intrusive (proximal to the user's ears, for example).

It may be apricated that while embodiments described here specificallyrefer to a semi-rigid membrane 100, 400 (a membrane having a definedshape but that is deformable to conform to the head of the user while inuse), rigid membranes are also envisioned where the rigid membraneincludes a field of tines that project outward from the users head whilein use.

It is believed that the inventive concepts disclosed herein and many oftheir attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoingdescription of embodiments of the inventive concepts, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, andarrangement of the components thereof without departing from the broadscope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein or without sacrificingall of their material advantages; and individual features from variousembodiments may be combined to arrive at other embodiments. The formsherein before described being merely explanatory embodiments thereof, itis the intention of the following claims to encompass and include suchchanges. Furthermore, any of the features disclosed in relation to anyof the individual embodiments may be incorporated into any otherembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair securing device comprising: a membrane;and a plurality of tines disposed on a surface of the membrane, wherein:the membrane is configured to conform to a portion of a user's head; theplurality of tines are configured to extend orthogonally from the user'shead when in use; and the plurality of tines are disposed withsufficient density to securely, releasably hold lengths of the user'shair when inserted among the plurality of tines.
 2. The hair securingdevice of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tines comprises areplaceable ornamental tip disposed distal to the membrane.
 3. The hairsecuring device of claim 1, further comprising an anchor loop disposedon a surface of the membrane opposite the plurality of tines.
 4. Thehair securing device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality oftexturing elements disposed on a surface of the membrane opposite theplurality of tines.
 5. The hair securing device of claim 1, furthercomprising a disposable film disposed on one or more surfaces of themembrane.
 6. The hair securing device of claim 1, wherein the membranedefines at least one cutout portion.
 7. The hair securing device ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one cutout portion is disposed tofacilitate conformity of the membrane to the user's head.
 8. A method ofsecuring a person's hair comprising: placing a hair securing device,including a membrane and a plurality of tines disposed on and extendingorthogonally from a surface of the membrane, at a location of a user'shead, the membrane conforming to the location; iteratively placinglengths of hair laterally across the hair securing device, the lengthsof hair pressed among and interlocking with the plurality of tines. 9.The method of claim 8, further comprising placing an ornamental tip on adistal portion of at least one of the plurality of tines.
 10. The methodof claim 8, further comprising anchoring the membrane to a portion ofthe user's hair before iteratively placing lengths of hair laterallyacross the hair securing device via an anchor loop disposed on a surfaceof the membrane opposite the plurality of tines.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein anchoring the membrane comprises attached the anchor loop tothe portion of the user's hair with one or more bobby pins.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising applying a hair fixing spray. 13.The method of claim 8, wherein the membrane defines at least one cutoutportion.
 14. An apparatus for securing hair in a desired orientation ona user's head comprising: a membrane; and a plurality of tines disposedon a surface of the membrane, wherein: the membrane is configured toconform to a portion of the user's head; the plurality of tines areconfigured to extend orthogonally from the user's head when in use; andthe plurality of tines are disposed with sufficient density to securely,releasably hold lengths of the user's hair when inserted among theplurality of tines.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of theplurality of tines comprises a replaceable ornamental tip disposeddistal to the membrane.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising an anchor loop disposed on a surface of the membrane oppositethe plurality of tines.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising a plurality of texturing elements disposed on a surface ofthe membrane opposite the plurality of tines.
 18. The apparatus of claim14, further comprising a disposable film disposed on one or moresurfaces of the membrane.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein themembrane defines at least one cutout portion.
 20. The apparatus of claim19, wherein the at least one cutout portion is disposed to facilitateconformity of the membrane to the user's head.